Suitcase comprising mounted pockets

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a suitcase ( 1 ) comprising two metal or plastic shells ( 3, 5 ) that are hingedly connected to each other and can be locked on frame elements ( 9 ) by means of a locking device ( 7 ), said frame elements ( 9 ) being located on edges of the suitcase shells. At least one main area ( 11 ) of the suitcase shells ( 3, 5 ) is provided with an embedded cavity ( 13 ) inside which at least one pocket ( 15 ) is fixed via a base plate ( 17 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a suitcase as defined in the preamble of claim1.

Such shell suitcases, whose case shells are preferably made of plasticmaterial or metal and which are hinged together at one edge of the caseshells, are known.

Frame elements are provided at the edges of the case shells, which havea closing means for closing the suitcase. Further, suitcases with twocase shells are known that have a zipper as the closing means. Thezipper may additionally be provided with a lock.

Further, suitcases are known that are made of textile material. They maybe provided with additional, easily accessible side pockets on theiroutside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a suitcase of the typementioned above which is made of strong shells and additionally haspockets attached on the sides.

The object is achieved according to the invention by providing at leastone major surface of the case shells with a countersunk trough-shapedrecess in which at least one pocket is fastened over a base plate. Thetrough-shaped recess may be formed, for example, by deep drawing duringthe manufacture of the case shell. The invention advantageously allowsto provide a strong shell suitcase having easily accessible pockets onthe outside.

Thus, it is possible to store e.g. travel documents or other travelimplements in an easily accessible manner without having to open thecomplete suitcase.

Preferably, it is provided that the at least one pocket has a majorsurface facing the case shell fastened on the outside of the base platevia a base layer. The base layer folds around the edges of the baseplate such that the edges of the base layer are invisible after the baseplate is set into the recessed case shell. Thus, it is possible tofasten the pockets to the suitcase in a strong manner and to still givethe suitcase an optically appealing exterior. The base layer may be ofthe same material as the at least one pocket and/or may be part of thepocket.

In an alternative embodiment, the base plate may also be part of thepocket.

Preferably, the pocket is made of a textile material or flexibleplastics. Thus, the unfilled pocket is easy to compress and does notrequire too much space.

At least two rollers are affixed to the major standing surface of thesuitcase.

Preferably, the suitcase is designed as a trolley.

The base plate may be glued in the recess or sewn with the case shell inthe recess, preferably together with the base layer and/or the pocket.This ensures a strong fastening of the pocket to the case shells, whichmoreover means little production effort.

The case shells may be made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy orpolycarbonate.

The frame elements of the suitcase may be made of plastics material ormetal and may be designed as a rand ribbon sewn to the edge of the caseshells together with a zipper as a closing means.

Preferably, the at least one pocket has at least one pocket openingadapted to be closed with at least one closing means, preferably azipper.

Hereunder, embodiments of the invention will be detailed with referenceto the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the Figures:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the suitcase according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a section through the case shell with an attached pocket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates a suitcase 1 with two case shells 3, 5 hingedtogether at the bottom of the suitcase 1 so as to be able to open theshell case 3 illustrated as the front one in FIG. 1. The edge of thecase shells 3, 5 is provided with a closing means 7 in the form of azipper which is sewn to the edges of the case shells 3, 5 together witha frame element 9 formed by rand ribbons.

The embodiment illustrates a suitcase 1 with shell parts 3, 5 ofdifferent sizes. The smaller case shell 3 has a countersunk recess 13 inits major surface, in which a base plate 17 is fastened. The outwarddirected face of the base plate 17 is covered by a base layer 19. Thebase layer 19 is folded around the edges of the base plate 17. In thisembodiment, three pockets 15 are fastened on the base layer.

In an alternative embodiment not illustrated, the base layer 19 may bepart of the pocket. It is also possible that the base plate 17 is a partof the pocket 15.

At two neighboring corners of the major standing surface 21 of thesuitcase 1, rollers 23 are provided such that the suitcase is adapted totrail behind a user pulling it. The embodiment illustrated illustratesthe suitcase 1 designed as a trolley so that it stands upright on themajor standing surface 21. It is self-understood that the suitcase mayalso be of another design.

In the embodiment illustrated, the three pockets 15 each have at leastone pocket opening that, when the suitcase 1 stands on the majorstanding surface 21, are located in the respective upper portions of thepockets 15. The openings can each be closed with a zipper 30.

FIG. 1 illustrates a suitcase wherein the case shells 3, 5 have a groovestructure perpendicular to the major standing surface 21, whereas thepockets 15 have a groove structure horizontal to the major standingsurface 21. It is understood that the suitcase 1 may also have anothergroove structure or none at all.

FIG. 2 is a cross section of the case shell 3 together with one of thepockets 15. The pocket 15 is sewn by conventional stitching S, forexample, onto the base layer 19. The base layer 19 is conventionallyfastened F to the base plate 17 and folded around the edges of the baseplate 17. Together with the base layer 19, the base plate 17 is glued byconventional adhesive A, for example, into the recess 13 of the caseshell 3. It is understood that the base plate 17 may also be riveted,sewn or otherwise fixed to the case shell 3.

1. A suitcase comprising two case shells (3, 5), at least one (3) ofsaid two case shells (3, 5) having a major surface (11), an outwardlyopening countersunk recess (13) formed in said major surface, at leastone pocket (15) at least partially housed within said countersunk recess(13), a base (17) externally of said pocket (15) for effecting thefastening of said pocket (15) within said countersunk recess (13), saidbase (17) having a peripheral edge, a base layer (19) located betweensaid pocket (15) and said base (17), said base layer (19) having aperipheral edge folded about said base peripheral edge, said pocket (15)having an innermost surface area substantially coextensive with andoverlying said base layer (19), and said pocket (15) being secured insaid at least partially housed relationship relative to said countersunkrecess (13) by (i) means (F) for securing said base layer (19) to saidbase (17) and (ii) means (A) for securing said base (17) to saidcountersunk recess (13).
 2. The suitcase as defined in claim 1 includingfurther means (S) for sewing said base layer (19) to said pocket (15).3. The suitcase as defined in claim 1 wherein at least one pocket (15)and said base layer (19) are made of substantially the same material. 4.The suitcase as defined in claim 1 wherein said base layer (19) at leastin part defines said pocket (15).
 5. The suitcase as defined in claim 1wherein the base plate (17) is part of the pocket (15).
 6. The suitcaseas defined in claim 1 wherein the pocket 15 is made of at least one oftextile material and flexible plastic material.
 7. The suitcase asdefined in claim 1 including means (23) for effecting rolling transportof said suitcase.
 8. The suitcase as defined in claim 2 wherein at leastone pocket (15) and said base layer (19) are made of substantially thesame material.
 9. The suitcase as defined in claim 2 wherein said baselayer (19) at least in part defines said pocket (15).
 10. The suitcaseas defined in claim 2 wherein the base plate (17) is part of the pocket(15).
 11. The suitcase as defined in claim 2 wherein the pocket 15 ismade of at least one of textile material and flexible plastic material.12. The suitcase as defined in claim 2 including means (23) foreffecting rolling transport of said suitcase.